“The Circle of Life” #Senryu

Posted on by Colleen M. Chesebro

This week for our poetry challenge, I chose the theme, “the circle of life.” On Monday, I’ll reblog someone’s poem and offer them the opportunity to choose the theme for next month. I like the idea of more participation and choice by the challenge participants. This should be fun!

The use of themes is a fun way to write poetry when the muse doesn’t want to speak to you. I discovered a lovely site full of themes at literarydevices.net.

Senryu

We haven’t talked about Senryu for a long time. Remember, they are the sister or brother to Haiku, but instead of being nature related, they are often humorous or filled with irony.

The same rules apply to this form as they do in Haiku. Traditional Senryu is 5/7/5, current Senryu is 3/5/3, or 2/3/2.

I like the irony found in the phrase, “the circle of life.” Translate that feeling into human emotions and responses. Remember, the Senryu’s complete focus is on humans and how we behave.

I like the transition from the various syllabic forms starting with the traditional to the current forms. I’ll do that below.

The Circle of Life

Those who mistreat you—
often catch on too late when
they need you the most.

~~~

The haters—
realize too late
they need you.

~~~

Haters—
lose sight of
your worth.

©2020 Colleen M. Chesebro

42 thoughts on ““The Circle of Life” #Senryu”

    1. Senryu take a little thought, but the challenge is inferring the meaning of the circle of life. Kind of what goes around, comes around. I didn’t think I’d ever use that haters gonna hate bitmoji! LOL! 😀

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      2. I like your poem. Most often forget that “what goes around come around” when they’re busy burning those bridges. Well said 😊.

        Pat

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  2. I love the way you have done this Colleen . You came at the prompt in a polar opposite direction to me. That is why I love these challenges so much.💜💜💜💜

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            1. Hi Colleen,
              This theme really had me thinking. Here’s my result..

              lurking behind
              four year old eyes,
              an old soul –
              ancestors drift
              on the wings of time

              Pat R

              A gogyohka..I tried it! Yeah!

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    1. Liz, don’t confuse this form with the Gogyoka form, which does not use a syllable count. I can make a sentence from one or two words. You want complete thoughts. Fit your syllables in whatever form you choose. Some poets write their syllabic poetry in one sentence, using either 17 syllables, 11 syllables, or 7 syllables. I prefer the three line method as it makes learning these forms easier. It’s also visually more pleasing to the eye. ❤

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  8. Pingback: Circle of Life | thoughts and entanglements

    1. So what we’re doing is starting with the traditional Haiku and moving down into the more current and abbreviated forms. Feel free to be creative. I only ask that you use the ten syllabic forms in any combination. Free style poetry is not part of the challenge except for the Gogyhka form. Does that make sense? Have fun. 😍

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    1. Hi, Lisa. Please add your link and your poem in the comments. I’m so glad you hopped onto the challenge. What fun! You have a week for this challenge, so just enjoy. ❤

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